Ranking the Top 10 Padres prospects

Nearly a pure projection pick at this stage, Darnell is a powerful athlete who could end up at third base, either outfield corner spot, maybe even catcher. The former University of South Carolina third baseman, chosen in the second round in June and signed with an above-slot bonus, batted .373 with nine extra-base hits and 11 walks in 16 short-season games. Many other Padres minor leaguers could be ranked as highly or higher, among them outfielders Yefri Carvajal, Blake Tekotte and Luis Durango; first baseman Allan Dykstra; catcher Mitch Canham; Antonelli and Sogard; and pitchers such as Wade LeBlanc, Nick Schmidt, Josh Geer, Wynn Pelzer, Cesar Carrillo, Jeremy Hefner and Jeremy McBryde.